The Labor enquirer., 1887-06-11
The Brutal Police DespotSn Of Chi
cag0 Suppress the Right Of
Free Meeting Of the
Labor Party!
They Also Prohibit the Singing
of the French National Air
the Marseillaise
Chicago Enquirer, June 4.

A few days before the election last
April well known labor politician said
tr the writer, IF the republicans elect
Roch for mayor, the Citizens association
and the police will commence war of
persecution against the Socialists here
which will eclipse anything ever seen be-
fore The events of the past four weeks
go long way TO prove that this prophecy
Is being fulfilled. Carter Harrison was
either too polite or too humane and just
20 carry out the wishes of the ''law and
order hyenas who desire the suppression,
by foul means II necessary, of the Social
lists in this city. Many things have oc-
Cured the past three or four years to
lead TO the belief that Carter had studied
deeply the social and labor questions; and,
though too shrewd to show his sympathies>
very strongly, he yet had not the heart to
openly condemn and seek TO persecute
the men who were risking their all for
the good of great cause. But in John A.
Roche the republicans have tool weak
land plant enough to work their devilsh
will, and they have set themselves to work
with an energy and perseverance, worthy a
more righteous cause. Word has been
passed 10 the police captains and lieuten-
ants to break up all meetings of Anarch-
ists, To closely watch all places where So
cialists are supposed to congregate, and
report the names of the owners to head
quarters; to place humiliating restrictions
upon the holding of concerts, festivals
and balls and in every possible way to
being literally obeyed. Several saloon.
keepers have received official notice that
their licenses will be revoked il they allow
Socialists to frequent their places, and
meetings have. been forbidden by the
over-1ealous police.
The Working Womens Aid society nd
vertised concert and ball to be held
sunday, May -, at Zeprs hall, ON West
Lake street, the proceeds of which were
10 be given TO the families of the con
dcmned anarchists. Here was IN OPP
portunity for petty persecution, which
the gallant police could not let slip. They
were women, foreigners" and therefore
easily intimidated. Orders were sent out
not 10 allow the concert to be held except
ON certain conditions. Ii they could
have prohibited the concert they would
have done so, but the ladies of the society
took out license for the dear privilege,
and In addition paid good round sum
for the attendance of two burly police
men TO maintain order'-tN latter
forced upon them by the authorities as
part OF the conditions" The other con-
dition was that neither the society, nor
any of those In attendance, should sing
that dreadful song, the national hymn of
the French republic, the "Marseillaise"
hymn. They might sing "Die FdcM am
RheiH," THE Wearing of the Green" or
the national hymn OF any other nation on
earth, the United States included, but that
ut Ia LeHs France was strictly tabooed. In
this petty manner the Citizens assooia-
tion. the Y. NJ. q. A., and the millionaires,
corruptionists and dudes of the board OF
trade have, through their official tools,
scored u point against the handful Of
women composing the Aid society. II is
presumed that these gallant conservators
of law and order will next prohibit the
wearing of red stockings by the children
OF The hated anarchists, or forbid the
l''Ic ones buying red candy,
Bu, not alone are the avowed socialists
The object of the wrath Of our lynx-eyed
tunctionaries. Even the labor clubs IN
some parts OF the city, which are suspect
ed ct being composed in part of social
N'ts, are prohibited from holding meet
tngs. The Fourteenth ward club of the
United Labor party Is case in point. In
order to keep the organization compact
aud To conduct business pertaining to the
late political campaign, the members of
the club continued to hold weekly meet
ings. Several we're held at IA Milwaukee
avenue, the ward club headquarters dur
Fg the campaign, but the expense of
maintaining special room was heavy,
and meeting place was found in room
adjacent To the salonn Of Fred Thinner
hod' 7o5 Milwaukee avenue. This room
has its separate entrance, and is entirely
apart from the saloon. But the police
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